Answer this question truthfully
### Question: Are There Differences Between Mechanical And Biological Replacement Valves?
### Response: A number of excellent mechanical replacement valves or prostheses are available today. Most surgeons have a particular preference for one valve over another related to technical factors (how they are sewn into place), however from the patient's point of view there is little if any difference between valves. The principle advantage of mechanical valves is their excellent durability. From a practical standpoint, they do not wear out. The principle disadvantage is that there is a tendency for blood to clot on all mechanical valves. Therefore patients with artificial valves must take anticoagulants or "blood thinners" for the rest of their life. There is also a small but definite risk of blood clots causing stroke.
There are a variety of natural or biological valves that can be used to replace an abnormal valve. They all share a reduced risk of blood clots forming but all are less durable than mechanical valves. Given enough time, they will probably all wear out. The options in this category include "xenograft" valves made from animal tissues (most often pig aortic valves), "homograft" or "allograft" valves retrieved from human cadavers, and "pulmonary autograft" valves moved from the patient's pulmonary artery on the right side of the heart to the aortic position on the left.
The decision on the type of valve used should be made in conjunction with your cardiothoracic surgeon and your cardiologist. Ultimately the choice will depend on a patient's preferences, lifestyle, and individual risks as determined by age and other medical conditions.